Subject: Resolution
authorizing execution of an agreement with Automated Traffic Solutions to
provide equipment and services for intersection monitoring of red light
violations

Staff
Recommendation:

Staff
recommends approval of the resolution authorizing execution of the agreement
with American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS).

Analysis:

On
July 13, 2009, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 09-31 providing for the
use of cameras to assist in the enforcement of traffic signal compliance,
better known as red light cameras. The ordinance recognized the lack of law
enforcement resources available for traffic signal compliance. The ordinance
further allows the City to use cameras and related technology to enforce
traffic signal compliance.

The
Purchasing Division issued Request for Proposal 90402 which requested
interested and qualified firms to submit proposals for providing the necessary
equipment and services for the installation of red light camera systems with
the City of Leesburg. Three proposals were received from qualified firms. The
proposals were evaluated and scored by an evaluation committee consisting of
City staff. The evaluation committee ranked Automated Traffic Solutions (ATS)
as the top firm. The committee rated them as submitting the proposal best
meeting the needs of the City. The summary of evaluation scores is attached
for your review.

If
the ATS agreement is approved, ATS, Inc. is prepared to begin work with the
City for the identification of possible intersections and the installation of
camera systems at those intersections. ATS will perform intersection studies
determining which intersections experience the highest rate of red light
traffic violations. The City has final approval on the monitored
intersections. The initial phase will be to monitor at least three
intersections.

Following
identification of candidate intersections, the City will have final approval. The
process for camera equipment installation will begin following approval by the
City. The equipment used will be stand alone and not connect to the traffic
signal control cabinet or circuitry. The system will use ‘eyes’ to monitor the
signal heads determining when the light has changed from green to red.

It
is important to note the State of Florida does not permit red light camera
equipment installed in their right of way. Installation of the equipment will
be done either in City right-of-way or an easement will be obtained by ATS from
property owners to install the equipment.

Once
the equipment is installed and operational, a 30-day warning period will
begin. All violators during this period will receive a warning. After the
30-day warning period violations will receive a civil citation for $125.00.

ATS,
Inc. will collect the data and images from the camera equipment/sites. They
will process the data making it available to the Leesburg Police Department for
review. A sworn officer will review each triggered event to determine if the
event is a true red light violation. The officer will mark the event
appropriately.

If
the item is a violation, ATS will process and mail a notice of violation. The
citizen will remit the payment to ATS. ATS will collect all payments and place
in an account. Each week ATS will electronically transfer the payments to our
financial institution.

One
late notice will be processed by ATS at no cost for uncollected violations. After
the one notice, either ATS will attempt to collect for a fee or the City may
send the violator to our collections company.

Violation
Fee Structure

Tier Level

Fee Paid to ATS

1st
Tier Fee

First paid notice per day per camera

$125.00

2nd
Tier Fee

Next 2 paid notices per day per camera

$25.00

3rd
Tier Fee

Additional paid notices per day per
camera

$10.00

Using
the fee schedule provided, and assuming 10 paid violations in one day on a
single camera, this would result in $1,250.00 in fees. Of this amount, $220.00
is owed to ATS and the balance of $1,030.00 is remitted to the City.

Options:

1.
Approve execution of the agreement with Automated Traffic Solutions, Inc.; or

2.
Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate

Fiscal
Impact:

The
fiscal impact of this agreement will provide an increase in revenue. There are
no upfront costs to the City and a fee is paid to ATS only for paid violation notices.
The exact amount of revenue is unknown and dependent on the number of paid violations.
Over time the revenue will decrease as people become aware of the cameras and
begin stricter adherence to red lights.

Submission
Date and Time: 2/19/2010 10:07 AM____

Department: _Police
Department_______

Prepared
by: _Mike Thornton__________

Attachments:
Yes__X_ No ______

Advertised: _X___Not
Required ______

Dates: __________________________

Attorney Review : Yes___ No ____

_________________________________

Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed
by: Dept. Head ________

Finance Dept. ______JB__________

Deputy C.M. ___________________

Submitted
by:

City
Manager ___________________

Account No. _________________

Project No. ___________________

WF No. ______________________

Budget ______________________

Available _____________________

RESOLUTION
NO._______________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE
AN AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS, INC. TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND
EQUIPMENT FOR RED LIGHT CAMERA ENFORCEMENT AT INTERSECTIONS TO BE SELECTED; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

THAT the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby
authorized to execute an agreement with AMERICAN TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS, INC. whose address is 7681 East Gray Road,
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260 for
red light camera monitoring equipment and services pursuant to Request for
Proposal 90402.

THAT this resolution
shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of
Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the __22nd___ day of _February__
2010.